Lighting Engines

By: Gia Marino

11/10/20

My last Project is Lighting Engines. I am doing lighting while sleeping.

Things Steve and Stacie wants us to keep in mind:

• consider how the light will look on and off
• consider the ambiance, setting, context
• we should explore with paper and 3D forms
• photography is important, and the POV of the light engine is important to keep in mind
• think about how the light spreads, and how the light illuminates other objects
• allow yourself to play and let out your inner child
• what does a light need to do in sleeping and not (compare to other contexts)

Project Questions

• How does the context inform the type of lighting needed/wanted?

I think this is a very important question because humans need certain lux levels for doing certain things comfortably. Especially for sleeping, the level of light in your room can very much affect your sleep. I decided to do a little research just so I could make sure everything I knew was correct and I found some very informative pieces of information.

How to Use Bedroom Lighting to Improve Sleep Quality

Best Lighting For Sleep: Best Night Light Temperatures

So it seems that if the lux and light intensity is too high then your body could suppress melatonin and hormones that aid sleeping. The sleep score article states that lux should be around 5 for sleeping. Thus, it seems it will be quite important to make this lamp very dim.

Secondly, the context informs me that the light can’t be too distracting because you need to be able to sleep with this light on. So even though it would be cool to experiment with how to make this light fun and exciting, instead it may be better to stick to more relaxing elements to add.

Overall, this is a good question to keep in mind because the light needs to be appropriate for the context so that light aids that activity and not hinder it.

How can the form of the light describe its use?

I think the form can communicate how context the light may be best suited. I would rather put something modern and complex in my dining room rather than put that in my bedroom for sleeping. I think certain forms are seen to represent certain things or would be more appreciated in certain environments.

I think for my light I want organic, round, soft, simple forms because that would aid a relaxing environment hopefully communicate it is meant for sleeping.

• What ‘story’ does it tell when it is on?

I think this question is good to keep in mind so one keeps remembering that their light will be perceived in a certain way. So while making the lamp you have to ask “how do you get the reader to see the story you want to tell”.

• What is the quality of light that it produces?

This is important because of the stuff I mentioned earlier about there being the proper illumination and lux. Different activities require different amounts of light. So This is all-important to think about while creating a lamp for your context, which is why I want to make my lamp product very dim light.

• How might the light affect us?

I think light can affect our moods and how comfortable we feel. Or how well we do our tasks. Just like my sleep articles said, too much light in the bedroom while sleeping will cause one to get worse sleep. So, light can affect us greatly in my opinion. I think when the lighting is really nice in a room it can be very relaxing and make me feel at home or in a safe place. I think for my light it needs to be very very comforting so one could sleep to it.

• What is the utility of the light?

Definition of Utility: fitness for some purpose or worth to some end; something useful or designed for use.

I guess the use of the light in my situation would be to allow someone to have enough light to do things right before they're going to sleep like drink water or take their glasses off. Or another use would be so that someone scared of the dark could still see some stuff in the room while still being able to sleep well.

• What ‘story’ does it tell when it is off? (It’s still there when it’s OFF.)

This is important because even though it is a lamp, and you have to think about how the lamp will disperse light, it is also going to be sitting in the room off while the sun is out. Thus, it still has to look good off, and it still has to fit your context while off. I think it should still tell the user what it could be used for while it is off. There should still be a “vibe” to it while off. I want mine to still give one a soothing feeling while off.

• What is the character and mood of the object?

The character and mood for my lamp need to be comforting, not garish, and homey. Those are the main things I think of. So I’ll need to make sure my lamp achieves this feeling.

Here is some inspiration. I found some lights that are either meant for sleeping/relaxing or I personally found them relaxing.

I like the dome shape a lot and the soft curves. Also, these are good to look at in terms of soft lighting that illuminates the room very nicely.

11/12/20

Experimentations.

First round of experiments

Second Round

after my experimentations, I think I realized texture can really shine through. I also really liked how dark colors dispersed light, I want to try and achieve that for my actual lamp. I also really like how the soft material looks with light. I want my lamp to look soft.

Particularly the fabric and plastic are very intriguing. It would be fun to get inspiration for that but I am not sure how I would duplicate that with paper.

“describe your space”

My space right now is my dorm. My dorm is a confusing place for me. It’s usually messy because I have not learned the art of cleaning consistently. So often my room doesn't feel as comfortable as I would like it to. It is decorated but not enough to make me thoroughly enjoy the space visually. My lighting in my room is actually TERRIBLE. I have two lights in my room, one on either side. Funnily, one of them is actually not turning on right now because the light bulb is dead. However, I have not called maintenance to fix it because the lighting was actually worse with both of them on because then the whole room is filled with the ugly lighting, but now only one side of the room is filled. But I have figured out how to turn one light on without having both of the lights on so I should probably call maintenance and get that fixed.

Now let me explain why these lights suck. These lights have the worse undertone it’s like a bright fluorescent light with maybe green, yellow, or grey undertones? Either way, it’s a depressing color of light. Or maybe it is because of how the light shines. It casts strictly downwards and upwards against the wall, but in a fluorescent way. The lighting is just not comforting and it is also terrible for pictures because it’s always a bright ugly light coming from the wall and not above.

However, I also have LED lights in my room. They can cast all types of colors and brightness levels. I really enjoy casting warm colors because they are very soothing and nice to fall asleep to.

These two contrast starkly. I feel like it has been interesting to look at lighting in a bedroom setting.

Some things Steve and Stacie and said to keep in mind.

• can use adhesive to your advantage in your design
• layering
• poking through, folding, crumpling, crumpling,
• effect of light on surroundings
• various ways to create seams
• POV
• role of shadows
• where will the light sit or hang or how will it be propped up
• use tools like the bone folder

Here are some things Steve and Stacie want us to think about:

• The main idea is to think about the effect of light on its surroundings. Think about how you can change the presentation of light.
• They said don't base your ideas on workability and success, because otherwise, you’ll throw out a lot of your ideas. Also, don't throw out any ideas early on. don’t allow yourself to give up on your ideas. Question everything. Any idea has merit, but instead of throwing something out you should question it and look at what you see. See what works and see what doesn’t work. Allow yourself time to work it out. If someone critiques your work ask why someone doesn’t like something.
• When working with your professors you can question their suggestions. They aren't always right but neither are you.
• Think about semantic differentials for your context

11/17/20

Here are my sketch models:

I WANT TO MAKE A SPHERES AND DO CURVES BUT PAPER DOESNT ALLOW THIS.

okay after a lot of complaining to Tara and John about wanting to do spheres and cylinders. I made a cylinder, quite a big one too. I like it. simple and organic sounds very pleasing to me. I think of calmness and sleep when I think of simple organic shapes. I think it’s because it resembles clouds or pillows which correlate sleep and relaxation to me. However, since I was so hell-bent on this insane idea to curve paper in abnormal ways, I found a solution! Ah yay, I did not give up and throw out the idea for once. This is progress. Anyways, I found that you can actually curve paper? It's actually kinda crazy and superrrrrr cool and in my eyes, it could be more efficient and effective than trying to piece together pieces of paper to make something somewhat curved! Now I have so so many ideas because my curve dreams are becoming a reality and I'm now actually allowed to work with some sort of curve that can look quite neat (sadly spheres are still quite a mystery to me at this moment, but my relentless determination will not fault! I will find a way to do the things I want to do. For better. or for the worst! This way I will learn! Now I want to stay up all night and make random curved forms that could potentially be lamp. I could make such intricate curved lamps. Or quite simple curved lamps. Or right in the middle. We will have to see what may work best. like I said, simple seems best for now, but maybe that’ll change. I don't know! iteration is key!!

Oh that brings me to another point. I think I have genuinely improved on process. My jeez my brain has came a long way overall, but my oh my this may be the biggest leap yet this semester. I have been doing a lot of reflecting in all of my design classes. I could go into my relfections but I think that would take all day. Anyways, I have found I have delved into a new design process. My approach on the whole matter may have changed. I first of all right now want to keep making irterations. I want to lowkey make all the iterations! However, sleep is quite important and needs to be a priority at some point. I think I have just found a way to take the pressure off myself a bit. I think that genuinely came from not caring about the final product right now. I want to make all the ideas not the best ideas! I’d rather make all bad sketch models at this moment so I have something to work with. I’ve become quite okay with making sketch models I don't enjoy at all. My first one was some odd fin looking thing that I made before I learned I could curve paper. I made it purely just to make something and get the ideas flowing. I knew it was going to be bad. Yet, I think it somehow made me learn. How astounding! What’s funny is I think the spontaneous cylinder I did helped me learn too. Then all this learning caused me to find a better solution! I genuinely did not think coming up with ideas and reiterating would be so much easier when you just let go a bit. I know I should not go crazy, and maybe I am even missing the point, but I think I am doing something right here. by expanding mysef and letting myself go and make bad sketchmodels has allowed me to come up wit better ones AS I make my terrible sketch models. Can I also say, if you have not noticed, I think I am more able to approach my design process more positively. I am focusing on the negatives less, which I think is really good right now. I am also allowing myself to compartmentalize. I want to put many many layers of paper on my lamp so it be very dark. However, right now I am allowing myself to play with shape, and then next I think I will play with layering, then I will combine the two. For right now, it is too much to do all at once, which I think was part of my problem before. Now I am letting go.

This rant was written kinda chaotically and is probably partially unreadable, but this is in time documentation of my breakthrough. My breakthrough with design. I am sure it will fade away and I will have to make another break through, However, for right now I am content and I think I am one step closer to learning what design is all about. I am excited. Hopefully the excitement will stay as burnout is suppose to come, but I think this is good. This is what I needed to do to help me. I think I have a lot of work to do and room to grow, along with working on keeping up with my time management. I think this is just a good start, finally I feel like I am at a good start, finally I feel like I have somewhere to go from that’s not overwhelming. Rant is over. I will reflect on this tomorrow and probably edit this. goodnight..

class notes

• look at products and see what questions you should be asking

ex) scale? whats the right scale, how to use other surfaces to bounce off light

• no front or back
• don't have something hanging or above head because you’re sleeping and that'll cast light
• Steve and Stacie seem to agree that soft, warm, organic, simple lamps are the most relaxing. night light may be too small.
• what makes me want a lamp? what makes a lamp satisfying?

Overall, what I have gotten from my sketch models so far is that curvature is very nice and there are so many interesting ways to do curves. I think I will continue this journey and see how I could use bone folding to my advantage.

11/19/20

I got a warmer toned blub. Much much better for sleeping.

Here are some more sketch models

Characteristics:

• I want to feel like I could possibly maybe hug/cuddle my lamp
• Characteristics: static, round, organic, soft, diffused, warm, simple, calm

guided questions for sketch models:

-How should my lamp cast, reflect, and diffuse light?

-What shapes can my lamp be to entail the idea of sleeping?

-What scale is most appropriate?

I'm kinda stuck with after doing my sketch models. I think I did get to experiment a bit and I followed this idea of the models being soft and round and simple; however, nothing is pleasing me except the cylinder. I don't know why nothing is really satisfying what I'm vaguely imagining. I thought it be easy cause I want simple, but nothing is quite right. Plus, my main idea kinda terribly failed because I am doing curved folds but it is still very hard to make the curves really indent how I imagined. I don't know I am kinda having a tough time and I am stuck. I don’t quite know where I want to go from here. I think still exploring the curved folds has a lot of merit I just haven't figured out how I show use it yet. I think I could make a nice shape with the curved folds. Also I think the cylinder made me happy cause one it had more paper so it was dimmer, and because the light mainly shined out of the bottom and it was smaller. So, I think it’s good to have most of the light diffuse out the bottom rather than anywhere else, and especially avoid diffusing through the top. I don't know. Overall, I think I feel quite stuck, but I am tired right now so I am need sleep and a fresh pair of eyes to re-evaluate what I have explored, what works and what doesn’t, and solidify my goals for the next mock ups I make.

• insert pic of my actually relaxing LEDs

Also, I tested one of my sketch models in my room. I don’t like it. It is way too bright. It’s even too bright for me to personally relax in. It is way brighter than my LEDs and too much shines out of the top. Also, it’s too square so I feel like that is also not sending relaxing sleep vibes my way. I am very displeased. Lastly, especially after class on Tuesday and finishing sketch models today, I have decided that I probably won’t do a hanging light. I think personally it is best because if you have a tale lamp then most likely you'll be able to put it on a desk, dresser, or night stand, and all of those are below eye level. Stacie kind of mentioned that all relaxing lamps seems to be table lamps. Then I realized it’s probably because it wouldn’t ever be exactly eye level. Thus, I concluded it’s best to try and make sure it is below eye level so you could get the best sleep possible, and I think table lamp is the way to achieve this. I think this isn’t necessary to be honest because I like sleeping with my LEDS on and they are actually at the top edges of my wall, but I think what I’ve learned is that it really can’t be eye level. Above or below allow it so direct light never is in your eyes. However, I think below is more optimal because brighter/less diffused light waves are less likely to hit your eye that way because I think light-colored walls bounce light waves more then the floor, especially carpeting which is what I have. Also, after testing my lamp today. The top part was quite bright and a little too close to eye level, thus causing it to be actually more uncomfortable than I would expect! Very unsoothing. So, that’s why I also like the idea of light casting more downwards than anything because it causes barely any bright light waves to be able to go to your eyes. So I will have to keep this in mind for the future and ask others if they agree with the discoveries.

class notes

• your learning is your responsibility here
• question what the light shouldn't look like
• rank criteria to aid you

11/24/20

Here's my first prototype:

We had peer reviews today. Here was my feedback.

They said they weren’t very drawn to the piece. I see what they mean but I really did want a simple form that wasn’t too much so I don’t really know if they have a problem with it because it is too simple. I personally find the lamp enjoyable and they seemed to really not. They thought it was too boxy and now I am wondering if the base is too sharp for my context. Secondly, they kept mentioning how the top and bottom felt like two different pieces, and I agree. I didn’t really notice that till now. They also think the light is too bright so I am considering adding way more layers to my lamp.

Overall, from the peer reviews, I learned I need to make the two forms more cohesive. I think I am going to have to make the base white and make it so the two shapes look like they connect together. I think I need to make the base round so it looks like it belongs with the top cylinder. I think there are many curved shapes I can go with to make it more cohesive. I also think I will stray away from cardboard and use form core or something white so it also helps with the cohesion.

12/1/20

Here is my 2nd iteration

I am very dissatisfied with this iteration. It’s so generic and lamp-like. Badly crafted too. I don’t I just hate how I changed it. I know I needed to make my base more cohesive and less sharp. So I thought a cone would do both of those things well. However, this has created just more problems. I am just so lost now because this is so bad and I am running out of time. I wish I played with this more or thought about it more because this is not how I want a night light to look. It’s basically an IKEA lamp! It’s just so boring and unimpressive. I liked my last iteration so much better. I think the simplicity in the past was nice and pleasing and made me feel happy. This does not at all. Now I am doubting my choice of being very simple all along.

I met with Stacie and she gave me some good ideas to explore, like making different simple forms and possibly layering so when the light is lit then the simple cylinder could become complex by its lighting. I am still kinda stuck with where to go but I need to continue looking at the form and seeing how I can find different ways to play with it while still staying within my chosen characteristics of what I think a sleeping light should look/feel like.

12/2/20

Ugh I am quite stuck. I haven’t been able to think of a solution. I am at a complete block and now I am feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Simple can be quite fascinating because if you keep looking at your lamp you continue to be rewarded by how well crafted and simple it is. Steve told me to think about a couple of things that are simple. Eggs were a good one he brought up. An egg is a simple and fascinating shape.

Then Steve and I talked about my exploration of fabric and plastic bags. We both agreed they are incredibly pleasing to look at. Now I am contemplating whether to explore different papers.

He also mentioned how he buys a lamp based on how it casts light. That is its main purpose. I enjoy lights that cast light very nicely and effectively.

I wish I figured this out earlier. I should’ve questioned my design earlier. I should’ve questioned how much farther I could take it. I guess I am learning right now that I came here to learn how to design. Something I am not very good at is having a good design process. I am trying to accept the fact that I can’t come here with everything perfect. Next semester I am going to be aware that I sometimes disengage with my process and I can’t keep doing that. It hinders me from pushing my design further because I don’t have time to explore what's wrong.

Now, I am thinking about how I can make my lamp simple and static how I want it to be while also making it special.

Maybe it really doesn’t need to be simple and static to make it relaxing.

I guess what I am finding is that if I am going to do a simple form that has often been done in the world, then how do I make MY simple lamp special. With texture? Maybe. Or I could do a unique simple form.

Okay, so I made a quick 3rd iteration just to play with this idea. It’s better than the last, however, it’s still boring and not special and not telling any story or anything.

Okay, now I have talked to many people. There is just nothing mysterious or special about a poorly made cylinder. I could make a well-made cylinder. However, there isn’t much exciting to that. I don’t know. I want something organic now.

-I am looking back at my original stuff. There was something there to my original stuff. the explorations. The sketch models where I experimented with bone folding. I don’t know why I didn’t pursue that further. If I am going to do one simple shape then I should do something unexpected and almost irreplaceable. Like nature. You really can’t make the same leaf twice.

Here is a ton of inspiration for organic shapes with bone folding

Here’s some paper sculptures to add onto that

Okay. Bone folding is hard. Also, looking at all these shapes and complex figures is kinda overwhelming. I think I am going to still stick with simple. I didn’t ever intend on making this light engine a masterful art piece, and I don't know if that is the right way to go but I am sticking with my gut. I am thinking maybe my simple cylinder just needs some bone folding on it to make it intriguing, mysterious, and maybe it could make the light bounce even more in a fun way. I am not sure if I will leave my light engine on a stand or not. It could be effective to leave it a compelling cylinder….

-I'm back! So after a lot of messing around. I figured out why I never pursued my beginning sketch models with curves. Basically, since paper can’t bend in two different ways, making these curves and doing that on a 3D shape is kinda impossible. I kept making curves in these panels and I could never put them together. I don’t know if I am explaining this well but if you look at the pictures it makes sense how you can’t connect it.

So, I was at a crossroads because of this. I was very frustrated as you could imagine. I was talking to Emily who literally went through this same dilemma and she confirmed my suspicions that I was kinda trying to solve an unsolvable problem. Or it is just way too complex to explore within this project. This is a common age-old problem. Thus, if I can’t solve this problem, then I’ll find another problem to solve.

I’m back and I’ve decided that I could make a tessellation pattern instead to make my cylinder more special. I decided this because I could not figure out a way to use bone folding to make any of the curved patterns I wanted to do on my lamp. This was because paper just doesn’t cooperate well with curves, especially if you start folding the paper in a slightly different direction. So, I figured I could just cut out the curves I make and glue them on the lamp. I really enjoy this idea even more because Emily helped me figure out that I could make a tessellation, and tessellations originate from nature. I looked into it and there are so many beautiful tessellations on earth. I feel like humans are drawn to these kinds of intricate patterns too. There is just something about them that are so satisfying. So after coming across this information I knew for sure I wanted to do some sort of tessellation. This led me to explore different curves that I could glue onto my cylinder.

This eventually led me to choose a simple S-shaped curve and I made a sketch model with it based on my last design.

3rd iteration

I think I like this. It is something. I don’t know if I like how tall the stand, plus the light bulb barely fits in the whole thing. However, I think if I made this neater and made the light taller, then this would be something good. I am just going to go with it at this point and try and make it very well crafted and hope for the best.

12/3/20

Final Pictures:

I’m pretty happy with my final design. I feel like I made something that is special and comforting but also works well for its context.

However, my process was not great. I feel like I started off strong and then as I went I got sidetracked and put everything on the back burner and stop trying to explore and find the most effective design. Part of it was probably poor time management and burnout, however, I have been trying to improve my design process and visual eye throughout this semester but I just haven't fully figured it all out yet. My process needs much more work. I think am approaching these design projects much better than before, still could be better, but again I think I still have a ways to go on developing a process that benefits my design and my creative process. So I guess this semester I will take what I’ve learned from my mistakes here in this class and trying and improve upon them, and hopefully I will be successful. I gotta say though, I think I have improved a decent amount from this class. At times I just don’t notice it or feel it because I am trying to make the best design and I am always comparing my work, plus it is just a really slow painful process. In the end, at least I am kinda happy with what I made, even though I can still find many mistakes, I’m glad I can feel proud and happy that I at least pulled through anyways.